APH COVID-19 initiative: Reuse of FFP2 masks using an autoclave in the general practice office

The research group of APH researcher Ralf Harskamp has worked on an intervention to decrease the shortage of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 crisis. They tried to reprocess the filtering face piec respirators of the FFP2 masks by using a medical autoclave. After the steam sterilization all masks were tested up to three times. The results showed that all FFP2 masks retained their shape and the ability to retain particles. Moreover, breathing comfort did not change after decontamination.